BY Yemisi Olawale

Kaduna

Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) in June 2023, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who is the Zonal Secretary North West of the party Rt. Hin. Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo is urging Senators Elect both the re-elected and new ones to consider electing Distinguish Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as Senate President.

According to him, Senator Wamakko aside being a ranking senator has the requisite knowledge to lead the 10th NASS effectively towards complimenting the executive arm of government.

He stressed that Senator Wamakko’s foot prints in Sokoto State as a governor who served for two terms of eight years is still formidable, adding that with his political sagacity and wealth of experience, he will be a perfect man for the job of leading the 10th NASS.

” He was a classroom teacher, seasoned administrator from local Government administration to Director General and Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, a two terms deputy Governor, a two terms Governor and a ranking Senator.

” Senator Wamakko is loved by all, being a grass root political mobilizer, a detribalised politician who is humble to the core will certainly lead the 10th NASS without any rancur if given the opportunity.

” It is on this premise that am appealing to the 10th National Assembly Senators to consider Senator Aliyu Wamakko as leader that can be trusted” adding that asides being a ranking Senator, Wamakko antecedents and political credentials stand him out, stressing that the President -elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs someone like Wamakko as Senate President.

“Wammako is a leader whose disposition is not inclined to religion or regional sentiments but some one who will carry all Senators along without fear or favour and regardless of their region, party or religion.

” It is on record that as governor of Sokoto State, he demonstrated all the attributes of a good leader which am sure he will bring to bare if giving the mandate of leading the 10th Senate” he said.

“Electing Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as Senate President will certainly amount to putting round peg in round hole which will produce best results.

” I once again urge the Red Chamber legislators not to be carried away by any sentiment but to consciously choose a leader in person of Wamakko that is capable, experienced, honest, hard working, reliable and who is ready to put his best for the service and unity of Nigeria” he stressed.

ENDS

By Mike Odeh James

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Monday, called on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to as a matter of urgency resign of his appointment or President Muhammadu Buhari should do the needful by relieving him of his position for conducting the worst ever rigged election in the history of Nigeria.

He called on President Buhari to be courageous enough to sack Professor Yakubu for bringing shame and opprobrium to the country by declaring highly compromised and heavily doctored results as an outcome for the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections

Frank who made this call in a statement in Abuja, said it is high time the INEC boss resigned because Nigerians have lost total confidence on him.

“We are supposed to be the light and example in Africa but with the dismal conduct of INEC and its officials during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, other countries in the continent absolutely have nothing to learn from us because of what Yakubu and INEC have done,” he said.

He insisted that despite the avalanche of facts of rigging and manipulation that characterised the Presidential and National Assembly elections available in huge volume of videos, audios and documentary evidences yet Yakubu went ahead to declare the APC’s Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as winner.

He said:“Nigerians have lost confidence in Yakubu. His words and his promises mean nothing. He has started again by promising free and fair governorship and State Assembly elections but Nigerians are no fools because they know he will do exact the opposite.

“Prof. Yakubu has shown himself to be a practical disgrace to Nigeria and has brought shame, disgrace and embarrassment to Nigerians in the global community. Today, Nigeria is now a laughing stock among members of the international community.

“Even in 1993 without the use of technology, Nigeria conducted an election adjudged as the freest and fairest ever. But in an age of advanced technology like internet and BIVAS in 2023, Yakubu chosed to compromise the oath of his office and obviated every truth and betrayed the confidence reposed in him by Nigerian taxpayers.

“Even at that time, the then Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, was asked to stop announcing results by then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, but he continued because he stood on the platform of truth and living conscience.

“This is why he needs to urgently resign or President Buhari should show capacity to throw him out.”

He called on the academia to strip Prof. Yakubu of his professorship rank because he has brought shame to that highly revered and top echelon of the academic community and scholars.

Yakubu has failed to project the academia in good light through personal probity, integrity and fidelity to his promises and sacred trust of the people

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, also urged the International Community to review and reverse all his current VISA status.

He enjoined them to do the needful by canceling all visas he presently holds and never give him opportunity to visit any of the developed countries like United States, United Kingdom or any member countries of the European Union.

He said that the election conducted by Yakubu has failed to meet international threshold of transparency and credibility and all friends of Nigeria must of necessity denounce it.

For instance, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard in a statement on Sunday unequivocally stated that it is clear that the electoral process as a whole on February 25 failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations.”

She added that while “many citizens are angry and frustrated with the results, some others are celebrating victories, they believe were hard-fought and well-earned.”

He added: “We also use this opportunity to call on international community especially the US, UK, EU and other international institutions not to recognize the outcome of the rigged and fraudulent elections conducted on February 25, 2023.

“This is the time Nigerians expect the international community to prioritize the interest of Nigeria first before their own interest in order to save our democracy.

“In this wise, they must not recognize the APC’s purported President-elect until the final outcome of the cases in court.”

“We still use this opportunity to call on the judiciary to remove Nigeria from this shame through truthful, fact-based and unbiased judgement on the post election cases soon to be instituted before the Election Petition Tribunals and the appellate courts.”

The zonal Secretary North West of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rt.Hon. Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo has urged the youths on the need for them to come out enmass to vote for for the candidates of the party during the Governorship and states Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for the 18th, March 2023.

Rt. Hon. Goronyo who is also the North West Director Youth Mobilisation APC Presidential Campaign Council while appreciating  the youths for their enormous contributions and role they played in the victory for Asiwaju/Shettima emergence,  further appealed on them to put more efforts in ensuring that they come out enmass and vote APC Governors and State Assembly members.

He stressed that youths being agents of positive change can make it happen so that the President elect and his running mate can conveniently put up a formidable team that will  implement their renewed hope Manifestoes to the Nigerian people.

Rt. Hon. Goronyo emphasised that the youths as vangaurds for the protection of our democracy should not allow themselves to be used negatively  but should occupy their rightful space as agents of positive change. 

“They should also be a vanguard  for the protection of our democracy  and never allow themselves to be used by desperate and overzealous politicians whose aim is to truncate our  democracy for their selfish interest.

” This Governorship and States Houses of Assembly elections is key for our party to win overwhelmingly, so as to produce governors on the platform of the party that will provide support for the President elect”.

He therefore appealed to the youths to also encourage each other to come out and excercise their franchise in support of the APC. 

“Lets continue to pray for our country and our President elect and his running mate Kashim Shetima for a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria where everyone will realise his dream and potential to make our country great again”.

He expressed optimism that the president elect will consolidate on the gains and successes achieved over the years under the APC administration.

ENDS

Ahead of the March 11 governorship election, apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Igbo group spoke through a statement issued by its national President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.

He said with the Presidential and National Assembly elections concluded, the electoral umpire had learnt some lessons and would improve on the next round of polls.

The Igbo group said despite the shortcomings observed in the election, it was an improvement on the 2019 general elections.

According to him, “the Presidential and National Assembly elections were not completely flawed. There was a great improvement in the electoral process and this explains some of the shocking results, with even sitting governors losing elections.

“This goes to show that the Feb. 25 elections were not completely a flawed process as some people make it look.

“Preparatory to the March 11 polls, it has become expedient to urge Nigerians to come out en-masse and vote for candidates of their choice.

“The INEC would definitely improve upon what it did in the last election. There are many positives, many take-away from that exercise. The observed lapses would also be addressed.”

ENDS

By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman

The 2023 governorship race in most states feels like the most intense and controversial election to have ever been seen. And there’s plenty of action in races down ballot, too. This however, may not be the case in Bauchi State where the contest could be a workover for incumbent Governor Bala Abdukadir Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party who is challenged by a weak All Progressives Congress candidate, Sadique Abubakar, a former Chief of Air Staff.It looks like voters in Bauchi will have two distinct choices for governorship on March 11, each with his own personal traits and his own take on things. The two may have certain views in common, but each candidate has his own unique style and character.Siddique for instance, will be going into the fight from the position of obvious weakness having been far removed from the reality of the ordinary people of the state for much too long. And this is the constituency from where bulk of the winning votes are extracted.Saddique Abubakar is already having an uphill task relating with, and canvassing for votes at the grassroots, something that Bala Mohammed has been doing for long, including passing nights in communities while on campaigns. He also needs to work to gain the lost confidence of Islamic groups in the state who are powerful deciders in the governorship elections of Bauchi, as well as the Christian communities both of which Bala Mohammed has effectively done already. The religious leaders and groups are influential in the politics of the state because they have the pulpits and platforms to reach a large audience and send messages within a short time. Yet the APC candidate has not sufficiently utilised this platform with his refusal to visit them and it will seriously count against him going into the polls. Another weakness for Siddique Abubakar is that the electorate lament that he does not have a single project to show apart from the Airforce base and school he influenced to be sighted in Bauchi. He will therefore have a Herculean task to prove to the people of Bauchi State how he can be reliable when he becomes governor. Another major hinderence to Siddique’s chances of becoming governor is the issue of his identity with many in the Katagum zone where he hailed from disputing the claim he is really their son.Bala Mohammed on the other hand, has established himself as an experienced politician since 2007 when he first burst into the limelight by defeating then-incumbent governor, Adamu Mu’azu to become a senator. Since then, he has fought and won many political battles including a failed recall by his constituents, before being appointed minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2019, he went into one of his toughest battles and defeated a sitting Governor. In the the current contest, Governor Mohammed, at the risk of overstating the obvious, has several strength factors going in his favour that are certain determinants to his success.In this regard, Bala will intimidate his challenger with the volumes of projects he has executed in the past three and a half years as governor. This is a major plus for the governor who has been widely praised for developing infrastructure across the state as has never been seen before within a short period of governance. Another area of advantage that Governor Mohammed will also bank on, is his excellent relationship with religious groups and traditional rulers in the state, which he established after his election in 2019. This cordial relationship with groups has been sustained by his administration as the 2023 general election draws closer. Recently, the Izala group came out to openly appreciate Governor Mohammed for doing a lot for them. The group said the governor built schools and mosques for them. The Christian Association of Nigeria also openly appreciated the governor for building churches for Christians in the state. The Christian body led its members in the state on December 26, Boxing Day to the Government House, to register appreciation to him, singing solidarity songs during the visit. The governor will reap immensely from this relationship with various groups in the state who won’t disappoint him when they cast their votes. Positively too, such groups would mobilise their members to vote for him.Beyond these obvious factors running in Bala’s favour, there are also a number of qualities or characteristics that make him a good candidate. Here’s a small sample of Bala’s personal characteristics that are relevant determinants in the contest for the Bauchi government house.According to experts on behavioural science, if we were to do a simple opinion poll, we will find that voters tend to often differentiate candidates in terms of their personal qualities. Why? Because character traits are deemed important. As is well known, a trait is an attribute associated with an individual. In other words, it’s the behavioural characteristics that can often be observed in a person.Most often, casual political conversations with neighbours and friends turn on the candidates’ personalities and believe it or not, when pressed to explain why someone supports Bala Mohammed, people often cite his personal attributes as a central reason.Some will say, “It is very simple, actually. He comes across as an honest and trustworthy person.” Another person may be more nuanced and say, “I don’t necessarily agree with him on all of the issues… I just want to see an honest candidate like him.”Fire in the bellyThis term, used in political circles to describe someone who has a desire to win and is willing to overcome obstacles, is one of Bala Mohammed’s major attributes.Someone who has “fire in the belly” always make a good candidate, especially if like Bala, he also has the courage to make unpopular decisions and demonstrate integrity and leadership in crisis management. At the same time, voters will expect stability and compassion from their chosen candidate which Bala possesses abundantly.Willingness to servePublic service, according to Bala’s perception, is about serving the needs of the people above the needs of one’s self which is why he shows compassion and inspires hope and is willing to serve and to lead. As a servant leader, Bala serves the better good of the people and the state, not the best interests and desires of himself.Hard workingRunning for the highest office in the land is not easy. A campaign will drain you of your energy and spare time, the realization that prepared Bala to always rise early and stay up late to get the job done. Bala Mohammed and his running mate have been doing exactly that for years. Ability to connect to votersBala has amply proven his ability to speak in public and be able to articulate a message, even in the face of adversity. He knows how to appeal to voters and rally them behind a common cause with a clear message. It is obvious that no candidate will be able to agree with all the voters. However, Bala happens to be willing at all times to listen to all sides of an issue, and is able to communicate effectively and connect with supporters and opponents.Knowledge of the issuesHe has proper understanding of national and local issues that are important to all groups in the society such as senior citizens, farmers, small businesses, worship centers, etc in addition to experience in running a campaign and knowing how to attract new and/or undecided voters. Hopefully, this will help the candidate and his political party to develop or formulate a strong vision of the Bauchi State’s future.On a separate and final note, it occurs to me that another simpler and more subjective set of criteria that you could apply well to both Bala and Siddique without bothering to look at which colour or party they each stand for, is ask yourself, which of them would be: more approachable, more experienced and more effective?Good luck, vote well and may the best person wins.

Suleiman, a journalist, wrote from Abuja

By Akoti Dickson

The Penticostal Bishops Forum, Kaduna State Chapter has congratulated the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and all other winners in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

This is even as the clerics averred that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs to redeem her image of being an unbiased umpire by leaving up to expectations, sequel lots of concerns raised on the February 25th elections.

Addressing a press conference at the Seat of God ministries headquarters of the forum in Kaduna State, the Chairman of the forum, Bishop Ademola Idowu Tinuoye who read the text of the briefing and flanked by no fewer than 15 bishops called for peace and calmness in the face of the various concerns raised.

According to forum, “We acknowledge that the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly election could be conducted and managed better by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as there were avoidable errors and failed promises on the procedures. Imperfection is in nature of mortals, yet basic standards are expected to be met and surpassed in other for losers to be gallant in vanquish and winners to be humble in victory”.

The bishops however said, the uproar that followed after the collation and announcement of the final result as declared by the Electoral body,
INEC calls for deep concern.

“It is evident and crystal clear that tension has built or is rather building and emotion stirred for imaginable and unpredictable consequencesand revolt –a situation if not tamed and properly managed can easily split over into National chaos and calamity. God forbid.

“It is for this reason therefore, that we the Christian Leaders of this Forum as Spiritual fathers and mothers of the land,deemed it necessary and fit to issue a Communiqué to make our position known under the prevailing circumstances, especially considering the fact that Kaduna State is always pivotal and usually known to be a hot spot of crises in Nigeria, in thedistance and recent past”.

After extensive deliberations on the political state of the nation, the Forum
resolved as contained in a 7-point Communiqué signed by the Chairman of the forum Bishop Tinuoye , the forum appealed to the citizens particularly, the body of Christ to exercise restraints considering the delicate peace we have in our dear state.

“This is penultimate and necessitated by the peculiarities of our dear state, Kaduna; situation whereby protests no matter howintended to be peaceful were easily hijacked and mis-presented as sectarian and religious. We cannot afford to breach the peace we currently albeit delicately enjoy under any circumstance.

“That if peace has not brought about anygood, violence can definitely not be the solution.“violence is never a conquering virtue” The solution to a bad marriage is not a new marriage. In the wake of this reality therefore, we’re strongly appealing to the Body of Christ in Kaduna State, all our followers and teeming Christian Youths across denominational barriers, not to take laws into their hands, but to tow the path of wisdom and give peace a chance.

“We should not engage in any act of violence that will inflicton the fundamentalright of other citizens, thereby hampering the fortune and development of the state.That in the face of the present heat and perceived dissatisfaction of the outcome of the general election, we are of the position that legal redress should rather be sought in the court of competent jurisdiction, while we congratulate the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as declared by INEC.

“That, relegating the experience of the just concluded Presidential election to the background, we urge our followers, congregants, all and sundry to shunall forms of Voters apathy andtroop out enmassin the forth coming Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly Election on Saturday the 11th of March, 2023 to vote the candidates of their choice without fear and intimidation. This way, we shall be making a statement, not just locally but to the International Community that we are comingof age, on course toward getting it right (Politically) and for a better Nigeria.

“That as a Forum, we are calling on the State Government and its machineries to provide the enabling environment for peace to thrive in Kaduna State as we remain committed in our resolve to partner with the State and its leadership toward the accomplishment of this noble goal and objective across board.

“To this end, we will remain committed in our responsibilities and obligation as Clergies and Fathers of Faith in the land as bridge builders to uniting all ethnic groups and religious bodies for the common good and development of all. We are relentless in prayers to the Almighty God for His Grace and empowerment in this regard.

“At this juncture, the General Overseers, presiding Bishops, Pastors and Leaders
of Denominations, inter alia, are required to rise above personal feelings and guide members to be objective and proactive in electing leaders without parochial sentimentsas they go to vote in the Gubernatorial and State Assembly
elections.

Fear of God, competence and experience should be considered in making our choices asKaduna State needs leaders who will be fair to all without bias in governance and leadership.‘If there is government, there should be governance’. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, those who love it shall prosper” (Psa. 122:6) in this context, Kaduna State and Nigeria at large”.

ENDS

By David Usman Dankat

The Directorate of National Youth Mobilisation APC North West Barr.Bello Muhammad Goronyo has congratulated the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) over the well deserved victory at the presidential polls.

The Director said, the get out to vote initiative campiagn engaged by the directorate produced the required results which culminated into a resounding victory for the President elect, Senator Tinubu.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Northern Governors and APC leader H.E Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for standing firm on their believe that power be returned to South on the principles of Unity, equity, fairness and justice, he said, the support for Asiwaju/Shetima which is sequel to their capacity, experience and commitment to the Nigerian project has yielded result.

He however urged all the North West State directors to embark on rigorous Campaign untill all the northern states Governors and State Houses of Assemblies are delivered to the APC.

” We must not go to sleep, let us get out to vote in all the nocks and crannies and ensure they reach the door step of all eligible voters for the Governorship and State Assembly elections on March 11th.

Barrister Goronyo also congratulated Nigerians for standing by the APC in the Presidential and national Assembly elections, urging them to do it again in the March 11th elections.

This is even as he said, with the Presidency of Tinubu as elected, Nigerians will enjoy a new phase of live.

“Without doubt, APC North-West has affirmed that North-West is APC and APC is North-West. We must remind Nigerians that the political history of Nigeria has shown that every Presidential candidate that wins the votes of North-West wins the Presidency.

“With APC youths united in North-West, supported by all party members and all candidates at all levels, insha Allah, APC will win again massively the March 11th elections.

” While congratulating the President elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice Senator Kashim Shettima, we wish them Allah’s guidance as they prepare to take this task of building a new Nigeria”.

Goronyo also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible elections, trusting that such will be replicated in the Governorship and State Assembly elections come March 11th, 2023.

ENDS

By Donald Iorchir

Reference to the letter written to the Inspector General of Police Of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Usman Alkali Baba and copies sent to the DSS, EFCC, ARMY and other security agencies and publication in the Blueprint Newspaper in November 2022, Seeking the attention of the Nigeria security service to come to the aid of some land owners in Lugbe but till date the Nigeria Police is yet to take action.

Again we are using this medium to call on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to investigate the following:

Kinsley Abazie Ifeanyi (also known as IFEDI HOMES) Monday Onimisi and their cohorts

They are busy going against the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by trespassing on lands that do not belong to them, threatening land owners, violating the rule of law and disobeying court orders.

It’s so shocking that these fellows, (land grabbing syndicates) go about the city of Abuja in convoys of heavily armed Police personnel and hoodlums, which they use to intimidate, harrass and threaten genuine land owners. We know and can prove that they are being backed up by some Serving and retired senior Police officials.

We hereby call on the I.G of Police, Director of DSS, Nigerian Army and the Judiciary, to speedily checkmate and investigate the activities and unlawful use of police personnel and hoodlums, this lawbreakers harass, intimidate and threaten genuine land owners.

We also need the public to ask how and why these people can encroach on lands not belonging to them and with impunity carry out construction activities even with Court Orders restraining them from doing same. They do these things with the active cover of armed policemen and hoodlums.

We appeal to the Judiciary to protect it’s integrity as we are at a loss why these syndicates claim to be untouchable, violating court orders and seemingly going scotfree

As it stands the lives of the original land owners are seriously being threatened as they are being repeatedly attacked by the team of Kingsley Abazie Ifeanyi (IFEDI HOMES) and MONDAY ONIMISI.

Signed
Olamide Popoola and Justine Eleshi.
For the concerned.